Onondaga Countyhttp://wrvo.org
enOnondaga County governments spend $3,900 a year on youhttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-governments-spend-3900-year-you
<p>Governments in Onondaga County spend an average of $3,900 per resident each year. And spending on each of the 468,000 people in the county is rising.</p><p>Those are some of the findings in a new report out on government consolidation.</p><p>Center for Government Research president Joseph Stekfo says municipalities that go through consolidation typically see noticeable&nbsp;savings but that’s if governments and residents are willing. He says any change in municipal services pulls at people expectations of community.</p>Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:22:00 +0000Ryan Delaney67154 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County governments spend $3,900 a year on youOnondaga County approves jail oversight commissionhttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-approves-jail-oversight-commission
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">At a time when police community relations are at historic lows across the country, </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> County lawmakers have made a move they hope will repair some of the trust between central New Yorkers and the </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> County Justice Center. &nbsp;</span></p>Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:41:45 +0000Ellen Abbott66628 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County approves jail oversight commissionE-waste law enters new phase in New Yorkhttp://wrvo.org/post/e-waste-law-enters-new-phase-new-york
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">You won’t be able to throw out old computers, televisions or video game consoles in the trash anymore in New York state once a new e-waste law is goes into effect Jan. 1.</span></p>Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:06:00 +0000Ellen Abbott66080 at http://wrvo.orgE-waste law enters new phase in New YorkMahoney says amphitheater will bring tax dollars to Onondaga County for years to comehttp://wrvo.org/post/mahoney-says-amphitheater-will-bring-tax-dollars-onondaga-county-years-come
<p></p><p>It’s been a busy year for economic development for Central New York.&nbsp; And one of the highest profile projects that will be completed in 2015 is the $100 million amphitheater and Solvay revitalization project. This kind of economic development reflects a new reality when it comes to paying for government. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:06:00 +0000Ellen Abbott66265 at http://wrvo.orgMahoney says amphitheater will bring tax dollars to Onondaga County for years to comeMiner, Schumer urge FEMA to update flood maps in Syracusehttp://wrvo.org/post/miner-schumer-urge-fema-update-flood-maps-syracuse
<p></p>Tue, 23 Dec 2014 11:16:50 +0000Ellen Abbott66010 at http://wrvo.orgMiner, Schumer urge FEMA to update flood maps in SyracuseExpect to see more of Joanie Mahoney next year, as she seeks third termhttp://wrvo.org/post/expect-see-more-joanie-mahoney-next-year-she-seeks-third-term
<p>Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney says central New Yorkers should expect to hear more from her than usual next year, as she runs for a third term.</p><p>At this point, she hasn’t made any formal declarations about running.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5;">“I did not make any kind of official announcement, and I think I broke protocol, but I happened to be talking to a reporter who asked if I was running and I said I planned to," she told WRVO.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">She does plan to make that formal announcement, she said.</span></p>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 18:52:00 +0000Ellen Abbott65976 at http://wrvo.orgExpect to see more of Joanie Mahoney next year, as she seeks third termFamilies receive some help for the holidays through Salvation Army's annual Christmas Bureauhttp://wrvo.org/post/families-receive-some-help-holidays-through-salvation-armys-annual-christmas-bureau
<p></p><p>Today is the day the Salvation Army gets to play Santa Claus. The annual Christmas Bureau gets help from local organizations and volunteers to provide gifts and food for Onondaga County families who can’t afford it themselves.Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:20:02 +0000Ellen Abbott65967 at http://wrvo.orgFamilies receive some help for the holidays through Salvation Army's annual Christmas BureauSyracuse Chiefs receive county loan to make stadium improvementshttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-chiefs-receive-county-loan-make-stadium-improvements
<p></p>Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:43:51 +0000Ellen Abbott65749 at http://wrvo.orgSyracuse Chiefs receive county loan to make stadium improvementsOnondaga County has 36 municipalities, but 57 fire departmentshttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-has-36-municipalities-57-fire-departments
<p></p><p>There are 57 fire departments is Onondaga County, which is nearly twice as many as the number of municipal governments. That’s just one example of the issues facing a task force on government consolidation. Tallying the number of government agencies is the first job.</p><p>There are 36 municipal governments in Onondaga County, from the city of Syracuse to tiny Marcellus. Each also has its own public works department. With government costs rising and population – or really, the tax base – shrinking, the county has been looking at ways to consolidate services.</p>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:06:00 +0000Ryan Delaney65165 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County has 36 municipalities, but 57 fire departmentsBaby boomers want more transportation, housing options to stay in central NY as they agehttp://wrvo.org/post/baby-boomers-want-more-transportation-housing-options-stay-central-ny-they-age
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The group </span><a href="http://www.focussyracuse.org/" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> is trying to keep baby boomers from leaving the area as they retire. The community group has completed a study about just how age-friendly central New York is.</span></p>Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:18:21 +0000Ellen Abbott64981 at http://wrvo.orgVera House looks to social media, other outlets to take proactive approach to domestic violencehttp://wrvo.org/post/vera-house-looks-social-media-other-outlets-take-proactive-approach-domestic-violence
<p></p>Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:32:09 +0000Ellen Abbott64714 at http://wrvo.orgVera House looks to social media, other outlets to take proactive approach to domestic violenceSyracuse suffers from "hyper-segregation," report findshttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-suffers-hyper-segregation-report-finds
<p></p><p>A recent report finds Syracuse and Onondaga County suffer from “hyper-segregation,” where minorities are mostly confined to a few, low-income neighborhoods.</p><p>A practice of only placing affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods, combined with the fact that few landlords outside those blocks are willing to accept housing vouchers, has resulted in Syracuse being one of the most segregated cities in the country, according to <a href="http://cnyfairhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/CNY-Fair-Housing-sm2.pdf" target="_blank">a report by CNY Fair Housing</a>.</p><p>"As long as we keep having this pattern reoccurring for decades and generations, we’re not going to see, really address the difficult issue of the fact that we have one of poorest communities in the country and one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country," said Sally Santangelo, executive director of CNY Fair Housing.</p><p>Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:59:55 +0000Ryan Delaney64599 at http://wrvo.orgSyracuse suffers from "hyper-segregation," report findsMcMahon Ryan Center says education, action will drive down child sexual abuse caseshttp://wrvo.org/post/mcmahon-ryan-center-says-education-action-will-drive-down-child-sexual-abuse-cases
<p></p>Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:43:58 +0000Ellen Abbott64519 at http://wrvo.orgSolarize Syracuse program deemed successful, could result in more projectshttp://wrvo.org/post/solarize-syracuse-program-deemed-successful-could-result-more-projects
<p>The Solarize Syracuse initiative was a success, according to organizers. The three-month long program has helped more than 70 property owners in Syracuse, Dewitt, Manlius and the town of Onondaga go solar.<br /><br />Solar energy is helping Diane Swords of Syracuse’s university neighborhood heat her home. Swords is one of the property owners who installed solar energy technology during the recent Solarize Syracuse blitz.<br />&nbsp;</p><p></p>Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:49:29 +0000Ellen Abbott64413 at http://wrvo.orgSolarize Syracuse program deemed successful, could result in more projectsStudents get hands-on education at Election Day polling locationshttp://wrvo.org/post/students-get-hands-education-election-day-polling-locations
<p></p>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 22:02:23 +0000Ellen Abbott63827 at http://wrvo.orgStudents get hands-on education at Election Day polling locationsAmphitheater project moving forwardhttp://wrvo.org/post/amphitheater-project-moving-forward
<p></p>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:51:17 +0000Ellen Abbott63803 at http://wrvo.orgAmphitheater project moving forwardOnondaga County introducing electronic polling books in three locationshttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-introducing-electronic-polling-books-three-locations
<p></p>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:17:49 +0000Ellen Abbott63761 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County introducing electronic polling books in three locationsOnondaga County Legislature votes to borrow $50M for amphitheater projecthttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-legislature-votes-borrow-50m-amphitheater-project
<p><strong>Update:</strong> The Onondaga County Legislature voted today to borrow $50 million to build an amphitheater along Onondaga Lake. The vote passed by a 12-5 margin. The five members of the legislature who voted against the proposition were Kevin Holmquist, Judith Tassone, Kathleen Rapp, Casey Jordan and Peggy Chase.&nbsp;</p><p>Mon, 03 Nov 2014 21:00:58 +0000Ellen Abbott63753 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County Legislature votes to borrow $50M for amphitheater projectDespite lack of interest, Onondaga County sheriff race has strong candidates http://wrvo.org/post/despite-lack-interest-onondaga-county-sheriff-race-has-strong-candidates-0
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">For the first time in two decades, </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> County will have a new sheriff next January. The two men vying for the opportunity to&nbsp;succeed&nbsp;longtime sheriff Kevin Walsh, who’s retiring, are making&nbsp;the rounds across the county this fall, trying to convince voters to pay attention to the race. &nbsp;</span></p>Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:43:34 +0000Ellen Abbott63321 at http://wrvo.orgDespite lack of interest, Onondaga County sheriff race has strong candidates Onondaga County asks state for help with jail overcrowdinghttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-asks-state-help-jail-overcrowding
<p>Onondaga County says part of its jail overcrowding problem could be eased with a little help from New York State. Lawmakers are asking the state to make changes in a policy regarding state prisoners who’ve run afoul of their parole.<br /><br />Right now, Onondaga County is forced to take state prisoners, who have violated parole, and keep them in the local jail while the justice system decides whether to send them back to state prison. County officials say that policy is squeezing an overcrowded county jail even more. &nbsp;<br />Thu, 23 Oct 2014 19:29:41 +0000Ellen Abbott63171 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County asks state for help with jail overcrowdingOnondaga County passes budget, excludes extra funding for dog kennelhttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-passes-budget-excludes-extra-funding-dog-kennel
<p>It was a relatively easy budget season for Onondaga County lawmakers this fall. Legislators unanimously approved County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s proposed $1.25 billion spending plan. There was only one hiccup; concern about spending more money for construction of a dog kennel at the Jamesville Correctional Facility.</p>Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:46:58 +0000Ellen Abbott62958 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County passes budget, excludes extra funding for dog kennelEmerald Ash Borer Task Force looking to expand into other countieshttp://wrvo.org/post/emerald-ash-borer-task-force-looking-expand-other-counties
<p></p><p>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> County’s Emerald Ash Borer Task Force is trying to take a more regional approach as it tries to corral the spread of the invasive insect.</span></p>Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:41:33 +0000Ellen Abbott62685 at http://wrvo.orgEmerald Ash Borer Task Force looking to expand into other countiesCandidates for Onondaga County Sheriff on the Campbell Conversationshttp://wrvo.org/post/candidates-onondaga-county-sheriff-campbell-conversations
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">This edition of the Campbell Conversations begins a series of joint conversations this fall with candidates in contested races for elected positions.&nbsp; This week the two candidates for Onondaga County Sheriff join host Grant Reeher, in their first shared appearance.Sun, 05 Oct 2014 21:00:00 +0000Grant Reeher62612 at http://wrvo.orgCandidates for Onondaga County Sheriff on the Campbell ConversationsCandidates for Onondaga County sheriff weigh in on inmate treatment, SAFE Acthttp://wrvo.org/post/candidates-onondaga-county-sheriff-weigh-inmate-treatment-safe-act
<p></p>Fri, 03 Oct 2014 18:51:36 +0000Gino Geruntino62532 at http://wrvo.orgCandidates for Onondaga County sheriff weigh in on inmate treatment, SAFE ActOnondaga county officials introduce "3 Day OK" emergency preparedness programhttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-officials-introduce-3-day-ok-emergency-preparedness-program
<p>Onondaga County and emergency management officials are taking the next step to help central New Yorkers prepare for a natural or man-made disaster. Officials believe it’s not a matter of if a disaster will strike, but when, and residents need to be ready.<br /><br />Following a survey last year of central New Yorkers asking how ready they were for a disaster, one statistic stood out to Rosie Taravella of the Red Cross. Most people believe emergency responders will be able to help them right away if there is a community-wide storm, flood or man-made disaster.<br />Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:48:44 +0000Ellen Abbott61579 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga county officials introduce "3 Day OK" emergency preparedness programOnondaga County looks for options to help mental health inmateshttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-looks-options-help-mental-health-inmates
<p>The number of mental health inmates at the Onondaga County Justice Center is on the rise, and the implications of that are widespread.<br /><br />Esteban Gonzalez, chief custody deputy for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, sees more and more mental health cases in the jail’s daily count.<br /><br />"It’s gotten pretty high in the last four weeks," Gonzalez said. "We have more than 20 constant observation inmates on any given day.”<br /><br />Gonzalez believes some of the increase is due to the heroin epidemic currently plaguing central New York. &nbsp;<br />Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:46:24 +0000Ellen Abbott61580 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County looks for options to help mental health inmatesMahoney proposes plan to pay for Onondaga Lake amphitheaterhttp://wrvo.org/post/mahoney-proposes-plan-pay-onondaga-lake-amphitheater
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Slightly lower property taxes and decreased spending are the hallmarks of </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s proposed $1.25 billion spending plan. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The debate over the budget may ultimately be overshadowed by another proposal from Mahoney this week for a bond that will pay for the </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Lake amphitheater project.</span></p>Tue, 16 Sep 2014 10:41:38 +0000Ellen Abbott61829 at http://wrvo.orgMahoney proposes plan to pay for Onondaga Lake amphitheaterVisitors to state fair could find lost money thanks to comptrollerhttp://wrvo.org/post/visitors-state-fair-could-find-lost-money-thanks-comptroller
<p></p><p>Those visiting the New York State Fair might stumble into some money, thanks to the state comptroller and the Office of Unclaimed Funds.</p>Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:35:33 +0000Gino Geruntino60986 at http://wrvo.orgPark Systems in Onondaga Countyhttp://wrvo.org/post/park-systems-onondaga-county
<p>John Weeks talks with director of recreation and public programs, Bob Geraci, about the different parks in Onondaga county. They address how the various parks are classified and different activities that go on at each one.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:15:00 +0000John Weeks59956 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County extends public comment period for amphitheater projecthttp://wrvo.org/post/onondaga-county-extends-public-comment-period-amphitheater-project
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Residents have almost an extra month to weigh in on the initial environmental impact statement for the proposed Lakeview Amphitheater facility along </span>Onondaga<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Lake. This move follows criticism among lawmakers and the public that the environmental scoping process for the $100 million project was rushed.</span></p>Wed, 06 Aug 2014 10:44:27 +0000Ellen Abbott59994 at http://wrvo.orgOnondaga County extends public comment period for amphitheater project